Drugs in Wales

A report which examines trends in drug use, drug-related crime, drug seizures and public perceptions.

This is a new release providing further detail on statistics previously released on 30 July 2009.

Key points

In 2008-09, an estimated 168,000 adults (9.9 per cent) in Wales reported having used controlled drugs in the last year. The proportion in Wales was at a similar level to that in England (10.1 per cent).

In 2008-09 recorded serious acquisitive crime fell by 7 per cent and recorded drug offences increased by 5 per cent. Serious acquisitive crime consists of robbery offences, burglary in a dwelling and theft of or from a vehicle.

In 2008-09, in England and Wales combined, victims believed the offender to be under the influence of alcohol in an estimated 973,000 violent incidents (47 per cent) and under the influence of drugs in 334,000 (17 per cent).

In 2008-09, there were 13,800 drug seizures made by Welsh police forces, the highest in 10 years and an increase of 5 per cent compared with 2007-08.

In 2008-09, the proportion of young adults (aged 16-24) reporting use of drugs in the last year was significantly lower than in 2004-05.

For both adults and young adults in 2008-09, the only drug to show an increase in use since 2004-05 was cocaine powder.